Qualified women and members of minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. UNDP is a non-smoking work environment.

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network and assists countries to build and share solutions to the challenges of globalization and human development. UNDP’s support to countries on climate change and disaster resilience is shaped by three important global agreements: the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP works with countries to help them reduce greenhouse gases and advance a long-term goal of zero-carbon development. At the same time, we work together with partners to adapt to the impacts of climate change, enhance access to clean energy, reduce the risk of disasters and, where needed, support resilient disaster recovery. Taken all together, these efforts are the path towards sustainable development that is risk-informed, zero-carbon and resilient.

EU4Climate Project helps governments in the six EU Eastern Partner countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine – to take action against climate change. It supports countries in implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and improving climate policies and legislation. Its ambition is to limit climate change impact on citizens lives and make them more resilient to it. EU4Climate is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The objective of the project is to support the development and implementation of climate-related policies by the Eastern Partnership countries that contribute to their low emission and climate resilient development and their commitments to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It identifies key actions and results in line with the Paris Agreement, the ’20 Deliverables for 2020′, and the key global policy goals set by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project will also translate into action priorities outlined in the Eastern Partnership Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Change of October 2016.

The following results will be achieved: (i) Finalized/up-dated nationally determined contributions and national mid-century strategies and communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), (ii) Improved inter-institutional awareness and coordination at political and technical level of the Paris Agreement and the corresponding national commitments, (iii) Established or strengthened measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, with countries getting on track with Paris Agreement transparency requirements, (iv) Establishment of concrete sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in each of the Eastern Partners, especially in the field of energy (v) Advanced alignment with EU acquis as provided by bilateral agreements with EU and in the context of the Energy Community Treaty, (vi) Increased mobilization of climate finance, and (vii) Enhanced adaptation planning.

The International Chief Technical Advisor/Project Manager (ICTA) of the EU4Climate Project will be based in the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). The ICTA will be supervised by the Team Leaders of the Climate and DRR Team (CDT). The ICTA will be responsible for overall project management, coordination and implementation, and substantive backstopping of activities implemented in the six countries covered by the project. The ICTA will provide overall supervision for all staff in the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), as well as, guiding and supervising all external policy relations. The PCU consists of six National Project Coordinators (part time based in UNDP Country offices), a Programme Assistant and Project Finance/Administrative Assistants (full time). National activities will be implemented through the UNDP Country Offices in beneficiary countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine). UNDP Regional Hub in Istanbul and UNDP Country Offices will liaise on a regular basis with relevant EU stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

The ICTA will be responsible for the overall coordination of all aspects of the EU4Climate project. S/he shall liaise directly with designated officials of the Participating Countries, other Members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Project Partners, UNDP Country Offices, project donors and stakeholders, and others as deemed appropriate and necessary by the PSC or by the ICTA him/herself. The ICTA will also be responsible for the management of the project, as well as, for the delivery of a number of technical activities in the 6 countries covered by the project. The budget and associated work plan will provide guidance on the day-to-day implementation based on the approved Project Document. ICTA will be responsible for the overall planning and implementation of the project including: project management, preparation of detailed work plans, budgets and monitoring plans, provision of guidance and direction to the project management team and other consultants/experts; timely submission of required reports; co-ordination of all project activities; organizing and supervising all project management matters; supervising the drafting of strategic documents including knowledge products; and ensuring effective overall management of the team and work products. The International Chief Technical Advisor/Project Manager will also be responsible for presenting the project outputs to relevant stakeholders, and the EU within the agreed timetable. S/he will also be required to support advocacy and partnership building efforts.

The following is the specific key function:

Oversight of project activities and achievement of project targets and results;

Technical guidance for the overall management of the project;

Support to policy dialogue, development and mainstreaming, based on project’s technical work;

Providing expert knowledge to lead and contribute to the consolidation and positioning of outcomes and outputs of the EU4Climate project;

Support to partnerships, advocacy and knowledge management.

1. Oversight of the Annual Work Plan and project activities for the achievement of project targets and results:

Plans the activities of the project and monitors progress against the indicators; reviews and appraises detailed project plans, including the multi-year work plan and ATLAS reports covering activity definition, updated risk log and the monitoring schedule plan;

Mobilizes goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications;

Manages the realization of project outputs through planned activities;

Addresses project issues as raised and/discussed by the Project Board;

Performs the financial reporting and control mechanisms;

Monitors events as determined in the Monitoring & Evaluation Plan, and updates the plan as required;

Manages requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP COs;

Monitors financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;

Manages and monitors the project risks, submits new risks (and possible mitigation options) to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; updates the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;

Shares relevant information on the project achievements with all interested parties;

Ensures that all project deliverables have been produced satisfactorily and in accordance with the approved Annual Work Plan;

Notifies operational completion of the project to the Project Board;

Upon finalization of a project, ensures reimbursement of the remaining balance of funds deposited in the UNDP accounts for the project activities to the Donor or re-programming if so agreed with the Donor.

Provides direction and guidance to the project team at IRH and COs level and the consultants;

Secures any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;

Identifies sustainability and follow-on actions and submits them for consideration to the Project Board.

2. Technical guidance for the overall management of the project:

Provides technical guidance for the project implementation, monitoring and evaluation;

Ensures a proportional approach, cohesion and coordination between different components of the project;

Provides quality assurance of the technical work (reports) commissioned under the project;

Effective communication, advocacy and dissemination of the EU4Climate project results and relevant knowledge products at international and national conferences and meetings, relevant fora and international processes;

Ensures full implementation of the EU4Climate Communication and Visibility Plan as outlined in the Project Document in line with the EU and UNDP requirements.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery

Ability to get things done

Technical/Functional

Primary

Environmental Issues

Knowledge of environmental issues,

Legal and policy issues associated with the Nagoya Protocol and its implementation

Results-based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources.

Relationship Management & Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies / parties.

Advocacy and Representation

Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues)

Strategic Planning

Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission

Secondary

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Development Planning

Knowledge of development planning processes and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Experience in planning, management, and coordination of multi-disciplinary projects is required;

Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, in particular those of the EU and UNDP will be considered an asset;

Experience in administration of budgets and human resources management is an asset;

Previous work experience in one or more of the participating countries, and previous work experience in the project region on issues related to climate change will be an asset;

Demonstrable skills in computer use including Word processing, Spread sheets, PowerPoint is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required;

Knowledge of Russian language will be considered as an asset.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

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Workforce diversity

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